Filter system for windows

ABSTRACT

A window filter system providing filter means positionable in window frames adjacent opened windows for providing a cooling air flow to the associated room. Filter units are provided at both the top and bottom of the window frame to provide air circulation. The system is a passive system in that no mechanical parts are utilized for blowing air in or out of the room.

United States Paten N avara a 154] FILTER SYSTEM FOR WINDOWS [72]Inventor: Joseph Navara, 2105 West Walton Street, Chicago, 111. 60622[22] Filed: May 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 41,191

[52] 11.8. CI. ..98/99 R [51] Int. Cl. ..E06b 7/08 [58] Field of Search..98/99 R, 99 A, 99.1, 99.2,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,764,913 6/1930 Vandc Mark..98/99.8 X 2,928,334 3/1960 Van de Veirem; ..98/99.8 X

[4511 Oct. 17, 1972 2,775,001 12/1956 Baker ..98/99.8 1,402,101 l/1922Smith ..98/99 2,179,954 11/1939 Burke ..98/99.1 X

Primary Examiner-Arthur D. Kellogg Attorney-Stone, Zummer & Aubel 5 7]ABSTRACT A window filter system providing filter means positionable inwindow frames adjacent opened windows for providing a cooling air flowto the associated room. Filter units are provided at both the top andbottom of the window frame to provide air circulation.

The system is a passive system in that no mechanical parts are utilizedfor blowing air in or out of the room.

' 1 Claim, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTED I 7 2 3 6 98 3 O8 sum 1 [IF 3P'A'TENTEDum n 1922 V sum 2 or 3 Wil a? JVaVa/w/ 44446 PATENTEDnm 171912' 3.698.308

' sum 3 or 3 FILTER SYSTEM FOR WINDOWS Window filter units are known inthe art which provide a freshening, cooling and conditioning of the airwithin the room by either blowing cold air into the room and/orexhausting warm air out of the room. Also, filter units are known whichare positioned in window ledges for permitting air to enter into a room.

My invention provides an improvement over existing systems in providinga unit wherein air is admitted into the room along the lower portion ofthe window frame and warm air permitted to exit from the top portion ofthe window frame, and convection currents in the air provide the meansfor providing a circulation of the air within the room.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide an improved apparatus and system for providing a means ofcooling air within a room.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a passiveapparatus and system for cooling air within a room.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensivewindow filter unit that is convenient to install.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a filterunit which inhibits rain from entering into the interior of the window.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a filterwhich can be locked into position for purposes of safety.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an outside or back view of the window unit filter systemaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows an inside or front view of the window unit filter system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3(a) shows an isometric view of an elongated rod for use in thesubject filter system, and

FIG. 3(1)) shows an isometric view of a rain shield for use with thesubject system;

FIG. 4 shows a view of one embodiment of the filter unit of theinvention having outstanding tabs for securing the filter unit in theframe of the window;

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the window unit filter system ofthe present invention taken along lines 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view partially in section of a filterpositioned in a window frame;

FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of a Z-shaped rain shield for use withthe filter such as shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a filter locking device for a filter;

FIG. 8A is an isometric view of a second filter locking device for afilter;

FIG. 9 shows a front view partly in section of the filter locking deviceof FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view partly in section of the locking device shown inFIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a modification of the filter unit whereinslide panels are positioned in the filter to controllably open and closethe filter to air passing therethrough;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the unit of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a wedge-shaped member for holding thewindow open;

FIG. 14 is a showing of the window unit of the invention as applied to awooden frame wherein a lock comprising a turnbuckle is used to lock thewindow in position against the filter; and

FIG. 15 shows a modification of the side panel flange of FIGs. 4 and 6.

Referring now to the various figures, the filter system 11 in accordancewith my invention comprises two fil ters generally labeled 13 with thetop filter being labeled 13A and the lower filter labeled 13B. Thefilters 13A and 13B are similar in construction and each comprises anoutside surface having a perforated metal back with downwardly dependingflanges 19 which enable air to pass therethrough and yet prevent rainfrom entering the filter 13 (see FIG. 1); and, an inside surface havinga filter mesh construction 17 through which air passes.

In one embodiment, a charcoal-type mesh construction for the lowerfilter 13B is providedfor purposes of better cleansing of the airpassing therethrough.

The filters 13A and 13B are placed respectively at the top and bottom ofthe window frame. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a metal frame 14is employed and the windows shown are so-called storm windows. Filter13A is pushed upwardly into position by the upper sash of window 21 andfilter 13B is pushed downwardly by the lower sash of window 23 tomaintain the filter in position. A locking device 25, which will beexplained in more detail hereinbelow, is placed against the top sash ofwindow 23 and against the bottom sash of window 21 to push the windowsin a secure position against the filters 13A and 13B.

FIG. 4 shows the side sleeves 27 which are placed on the ends of thefilters l3 and are movable inwardly and outwardly of filter 13 to adjustthe overall width of the filter 13 to conform to the width of the windowframe. Side tabs 29 are mounted on each of the sleeves 27 to extendlaterally of the side edge of the filter 13. Tabs 29 are inserted in thegrooves of the window frame to thereby hold filter l3 securely in thewindow frame to prevent its being pushed inwardly such as by high winds.In FIG. 4, the tabs 29 are rigidly affixed to sleeves 27, as by rivets,and tabs 29 are made of a metal and thickness which will permit the tabs29 to be bent as by hand to suitably insert and position the tabs 29 inthe grooves of the window frame.

FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of a filter 13 in accordance with theinvention wherein movable tabs 34 are mounted on the sleeve 27. Tabs 34perform the same function as tabs 29; that is, tabs 34 lock filter 13 inthe window frame. Tabs 34 are rotatably affixed to sleeve 27 as by asingle rivet to permit the tabs 34 to rotate to permit easier insertionand positioning of the tabs 34 in its associated groove. A stop 34Aarrests downward movement of the tabs 34 such as to prevent tabs 34 fromfalling downwardly out of engagement with the sides of its associatedgroove. In FIG. 11, the filter 13 also includes slidable panels 49, suchas of plastic, positioned adjacent the mesh portion of filter 13. Thesepanels 49 can be slidably closed or opened as desired to emit more orless air into the room as required to maintain a desired temperature inthe room.

FIG. 15 shows a side panel 27 wherein another modification of the tab 61is affixed to the panel. Tab 61 is affixed as by riveting the end ofpanel 27. Tab 61 can be bent inwardly or outwardly to snug the panel 27in the associated groove of the window frame to secure the filter 13 inposition.

To prevent rain from entering through the filter 13 into the room, anelongated wedge-shaped shield, generally labeled 31 and made of a thinflat material such as a copper strip, is placed between the filter l3and the window sash. Shield 31 includes a vertical portion 31A, a flathorizontal portion 313 extending from said vertical portion 31A and aportion 31C depending downwardly from horizontal portion 318. Shield 31is positioned as shown in FIG. 6 to have its flat horizontal positionclamped between the filter l3 and the bottom sash of window 21. Thevertical portion 31A is on the inside of the filter and downwardlydepending portion 31C is on the outside of the window frame. Thus, arain tending to flow through the opening between the bottom of filter 13and the window frame will be stopped by vertical portion 31A. Thedepending portion 31C firmly anchors the shield in position. The widthof horizontal portion is formed dependent on the thickness of theassociated window sash. Shield 31 may comprise either one elongatedpiece or overlapping parts with the overlapping parts being extended toconform to the width of the associated window frame.

A flat rod 35, of wood or plastic, having slots 35A at its ends may bepositioned beneath the flat surface of the shield 31 in order to insurethat the rod fits flush over the filter. This is necessary in certaininstances where the sash of the window 21 has side pins (not shown)which hook the window 21 onto its frame. The pins extend horizontallyalong the top and at the edges of the window sash. The slots 35A fitover the aforesaid pins to hold rod 35 in position. Rod 35 provides asmooth, even support surface for shield 31, and permits the shield 31 toextend evenly along the length of filter 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 8A, 9 and 10, the locking devices 25 and 25Acomprise a sleeve member 61 which receives an elongated bolt 63 whichcan be adjusted by means of a nut 65 to secure the locking device 25against the filter 13, as shown in FIG. 5. The top of the locking device25 includes a U-shaped channel 67 which receives or fits over the sashof the window frame, see also FIGS. 1 and 2. A lower or back portion 69is affixed to the upper channel 67 as by welding and is pivotablyaffixed as by a bolt 72 to the sleeve 61. The lower portion of the bolt63 includes a means for removably affixing the locking device 25 in thewindow frame, as shown in FIG. 5. The lower end of bolt 63 terminates ina ring 70. A flange 71 has one side affixed, as by welding, to ring 70and the lower end of flange 71 is free and extends to the bottom of ring70. Flange 71 and ring 70 are inserted such as to straddle a verticalledge of the window frame, as shown in FIG. 5, to thus hold the lowerend of the locking device 25 in position. Locking device 25A isgenerally similar to locking device 25 with the exception that inlocking device 25A, instead of flange 71, a block 74 is loosely affixedto the ring 70 as by a U-bolt. The drawing of FIG. 8A is invertedrelative to FIG. 8 to show the locking device in the position in whichit is normally used. For example, note FIG. 5, wherein block 74 ispositioned in a groove in the window frame to hold the upper end oflocking positioned to engage the sash of the respective window, and nut65 tightens the bolt 63 against sleeve 61 to firmly push the window sashagainst the respective filters 13A and 13B to thus hold the filtersecurely in position.

Thus, as clearly seen, .in FIG. 5, the two locking devices 25 and 25A,respectively, retain the two filters 13A and 13B in position.

FIG. 13 shows a wedge-type unit 51 which can be mounted in the frame tomount the windows 21 and 23 at a selected height on the frame.

FIG. 14 shows a modification of the filter system of FIGS. 1 through 13wherein the filter is utilized in connection with wooden, so-calledbalanced windows. Except for some minor variations, the two systems aresimilar. In FIG. 14, a modified locking device 53 is utilized in placeof the locking device 25. Whereas, locking device 25 pushes against theassociated windows to hold them in position, the locking device 53comprises a turnbuckle and is mounted by screw 57 to the window frameand by screw to the wooden top sash of window 59. Screw 55 is secured tothe wooden window frame and an L-shaped rain shield 32A, formed of acopper plate, as shown in FIG. 3(b), is placed between the lower sash ofbalanced window 59 and the window frame.

In order to maintain the wooden window frame securely against filter13A, the turnbuckle 53 is tightened to snug the filter in position. Asimilar turnbuckle 53 (not shown) is utilized for the lower window 62and the associated filter 13B. In some instances, the

.window 62 is sufficiently heavy such that the weight of the lowerwindow on the filter 13B is sufficient to maintain the filter 138 inposition and the turnbuckle locking device 53 is not required.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. A balanced window air filter system for an associated room,comprising, in combination, an air filter placeable in the window frameenabling air to flow therethrough into the room, a ledge on said windowframe, an elongated rod for retaining the filter in position, said rodincluding a threaded portion on one end thereof, a sleeve member forsaid threaded portion, means on one end of said sleeve member forengaging said window, a nut mounted on said threaded portion and adaptedto abut against the other end of the sleeve member, to secure the sleevemember against said window, a flange and a ring formed on the oppositeend of said rod, said flange being adapted to straddle the ledge of thewindow frame to hold the end of the locking device in position wherebythe filter can be securely affixed relative to a window independently ofthe other window.

1. A balanced window air filter system for an associated room, comprising, in combination, an air filter placeable in the window frame enabling air to flow therethrough into the room, a ledge on said window frame, an elongated rod for retaining the filter in position, said rod including a threaded portion on one end thereof, a sleeve member for said threaded portion, means on one end of said sleeve member for engaging said window, a nut mounted on said threaded portion and adapted to abut against the other end of the sleeve member, to secure the sleeve member against said window, a flange and a ring formed on the opposite end of said rod, said flange being adapted to straddle the ledge of the window frame to hold the end of the locking device in position whereby the filter can be securely affixed relative to a window independently of the other window. 